A return to cabinet for MLA Jeff Johnson can only serve to help further a number of objectives in the constituency.
Firstly, by his own admission, he will now be able to advocate for certain projects such as the new school in Athabasca or perhaps an upgraded health centre in Boyle.
Secondly, as Minister of Seniors, Johnson will be able to advance the status of a large majority of residents in his constituency by following through on the mandate Premier Prentice has put before Johnson. Namely, increase the number of housing units available for seniors and ensure a higher quality of care through better health care programming.
And lastly, simply having Johnson’s voice at the cabinet table – as well as on two influential cabinet committees – ensures that the input from rural and northern Alberta will continue to be at the forefront when it comes to shaping government planning for at the least the next 18 months.
Some may say it hasn’t done much in the past few years, but times and people have changed.
And isn’t better to be sitting at the table and having at your voice heard than not to be there at all?
